Chapter Six: Love
The next day found them near Fellglow, Ven dithering about going in. "I guess we should," she said. "They have to know."
She walked to the door, opening it only to be grabbed. "Easy," she said, gently breaking free and looking at Keir, the other vampire taking one look at Kai and knowing he was too late, putting on a brave face. "You've seen much." He said.
"Keir, know that you are a true friend." She said. "Castle Volkihar is open to you as well-I've met the new owner."
"What?" the vampire gasped, trying to figure it out. "Dar'Mora. Gods..."
The half-dragon stepped forward. "They would welcome you Keir." He said.
Keir gazed at him, nodding once. "I was never meant for her." He said, taking the other's arm. "You were. Lord Bal chose this pairing well. I will always be her brother instead."
The door opened, several vampires coming in. "Quite a lot of gold." Blayze said, chuckling to herself. "Good job selling it carefully Sebastian."
"Of course Blayze." A tall vampire replied, blinking for a moment. "Kai?" he asked. "Is that you?",
"Hello Seb." Kai said, "And yes, I've changed, one by Lord Bal himself."
"Glad I didn't take him," Blayze cut in. "Hello Ven."
"Blayze," Ven replied. "It's been a while." She moved off, visiting the old places and remembering. She walked up to the top room, finding the body of the Altmer known as The Caller and looked at it, casting a spell and bringing it back to life.
"What...I'm alive?" She looked at the Dunmer. "Tell me girl, what happened?"
"Wow," came the reply. "Altmer always go off." As Kai came in she lost it, letting out her dark energy. "A girl am I? I am over 100 years old and am the only thing keeping you alive right now!" She grinned evilly as the Altmer gasped, screaming as she was captured in ethereal chains before trying to get free. "You can stop at any time you know-or not. I'll just bring you back for another session."
The Caller stopped struggling. "What do you want?" she asked
Ven grinned. "Why did you harm the vampires?"
"Those scum?" the woman laughed. "They were nothing."
"Oh gods," The half-dragon breathed as the grin became deadly, the Dunmer disappearing from where she was, reappearing and grabbed the chains. "Nothing?" she asked, pulling the chain tighter until the Altmer was gasping. "No hun, the only one what is nothing is you. Enjoy." She gave a gesture, The Caller letting out a small sigh as she became ash.
"Ven?" Kai asked, looking into her eyes. "Shi'koray come back to me!"
"W-what?" Ven blinked, looking at him as she held her head. "Kai what happened? I think I...lost myself."
He gently took her out of the room and steered her downstairs, Layla looking up.
"What in the bloody world was that?" she asked.
"Ven lost it." Came the reply. "The Caller thought you were scum and Ven showed her the truth-that the scum was her."
That did it. The vampires growled. "Necromancers that do such things will die!" Keir roared. "So will any bandits and plunderers! This is our home so let us protect it! Show that good people can live free!"
"Do as you wish Keir," the Dunmer said. "Should find a new place closer."
She smiled before sitting down, feeling tired; yes she felt better but was still a bit weak, especially with what she just did. The half-dragon came over. "Keir," he said. "We um, we need some privacy?"
The vampire nodded, understanding easily. "I understand Kai. Go."
Kai walked upstairs with her, bending down and exhaling as she drank. Ven gave a gasp, waking up. "What...?" She began, holding her head.
"Breathe Ven," came the reply. "I think you were channeling Lord Bal."
"Indeed she was," a voice said, Molag Bal, or more precisely, his head, appearing in mid-air. "What Harkon truly did Kai was try to make Ven my vessel. He didn't quite succeed: Ven was too strong. So she has a...unique connection with me. She has a bit of my essence and can tap into that. I'm trying to adjust."
"I'm not even aware when it happens Lord Bal." she said.
"This I know. I will do my best on my end but your necromancy will be stronger than normal. That seems to be the only thing so far."
"Whose blood was used?" asked the half-dragon.
"Lamae Beolfag. Harkon wasted it while you gained the benefits."
The Dunmer laughed. "That man was an idiot." She said darkly, smiling at her mate. "I'm fine Kai. Harkon thought only of himself and in the end..."
"It doomed him." Molag Bal finished. "Watch over her Kai."
The Daedric Lord disappeared, Kai thinking as they walked down, the vampires having left to find a better place. "Who is Lamae Beolfag?" he asked.
"Have you ever read Opusculus Lamae Bal ta Mezzamortie?" Ven asked as they walked, the wolf following. "Lamae was a Nedic virgin that was...profaned by Lord Bal-the first Blood-Maiden. The Maidens are the first of every clan-if I chose that life I could be one; the fact Harkon was an idiot proves this."
"I think you already are love," he said, pointing to Oracle. "You first used your blood on her and look what she's become." He looked down as the wolf raised her head; her fur was glossy, her eyes looking at them happily. Her claws were slightly long and razor-sharp, but fell away when the Dunmer felt her paw. "I think you're right Kai." She said, gently putting the paw down. They went down the road, stopping around dusk and setting up their camp. Ven told him some of what she knew and what she did, the half-dragon telling her some of his before they fell asleep. They woke up mid-morning to someone nearby, Kai growling as he crawled out, only to start laughing. There was Oracle, having chased a Stormcloak up a tree. "Not very brave are you?" the Dunmer asked dryly, her mate in hysterics. "Oracle, come here," she intoned, the wolf hopping off the tree, which made it worse as it went upright, rattling the Nord more.
"Is it friendly?" he asked in a pinched voice.
"Yes, she is." She said, petting her. "Oracle's a guard wolf is all. What is your name my good Stormcloak?"
"I am Ralof." Came the reply. "I was headed to Windhelm to take my turn as Ulfric's protector when she came out of nowhere."
"Then you don't know if 2 Dunmer came through."
"You can find out at the docks." Ralof said. "They keep records."
"Thank you Ralof. I am Ven by the way and this here's Kai." As she spoke she was gathering up their sleeping bags and put on her cloak. "Tell me," she said. "Where can I get some new cloaks? These are on their last legs, so to speak."
"You could make your own or check the blacksmith. There's also Niranye."
"Thank you Ralof," She put on her bag, Kai doing the same. Oracle sniffed at Ralof, wagging her tail as he pet her before running off after the pair, the Nord dusting himself off. Ven led the way to Windhelm, going to the blacksmith and asking about cloaks and hoods, the Nord showing her several. She bought two, thanking him profusely before walking over to Niranye, getting supplies.
"You know Dar'Mora?" she asked softly, the Dunmer blinking before nodding, watching the Altmer grin. "I know her," she explained. "Big deals."
"Show me." Ven said, looking at her goods and smiling.
"Dar'Mora told me about you-said you could use it." Niranye said.
"That's her all right," Kai said, looking at the rings before getting an idea and whispering something, a glance showing his love was busy with the alchemy ingredients. "Can you do that?" he asked quietly.
The Altmer nodded. "I will let you know when it's ready." Was the reply. She went over and haggled with the Dunmer good-naturedly. Ven came out with a good amount of ingredients. "Thanks Niranye," she said, putting them in her bag before saying goodbye and headed off, the half-dragon giving Niranye half the gold owed before following.
~Timeskip~
They stayed with Iizvenahkrin for two weeks, Kai going off on his own to do...something. Ven began wondering and went to the dragon. "Kai has chosen his path dii mon," he intoned. "If I know him however, it's for you."
She smiled at that. "It's just weird that he's so secretive." She said
"Drem kiir." Came the mellow reply. "My son loves you in a way that rivals the strength of my kind." His eye caught movement, Oracle curious about the larger creature. "Hmm. It looks like a grohiik, but this is larger."
"She...drank my blood and became this way. She's what I call a 'guard wolf'."
"Ah. Kogaan naal hi. This I understand, oddly enough." He put his wing over the wolf, watching her lay down easily. "Pruzah kiir."
The half-dragon entered, coming over and looking at her. "Ven," he said, taking something from his pocket and went to one knee, holding it up. "Aravenu Araleth, will you do the honor of marrying me?"
The Dunmer looked at the object, three bands of silver with amethysts winking at her. "Kai...I..." she couldn't believe it. "Yes," she said finally. "Yes I will."
He got up and slid the ring on her finger, Iizvenahkrin exhaling a mist. "In dragon ways you are already bound, but I know you will want a human mating."
"Which is one thing I've been doing," was the reply. "I have heard of a Priestess of Mara named Viasta the Green. She's willing to bring you in Bormah."
The dragon's eyes widened. "You told this woman?" he asked warily.
"I told her I had a dragon friend who would like to come. She figured it out." Kai lowered his head. "I know it's not usually done Father."
Iizvenahkrin thought for a moment, hearing a bark from Oracle and raising a scaly eyebrow. "You are for it?" he asked, getting a nod. "What will they wear?"
The half-dragon looked mischievous as he held out the dress. "She can wear this."
It was white and blue, having a gathered neckline and full skirt. "Kai..." Ven said, coming over and taking the dress. "It needs something." She opened her bag and looked in it, finding what he was looking for, pulling a headdress and smiling. "There it is." She said. "My mother's tiara." It was a silver dainty thing with amethysts in the middle. She began to style her hair, Kai coming over and let her locks down, placing the tiara on it. "There," he said, climbing onto his father with her, the dragon taking off with Oracle chasing after happily. The Dunmer held her dress, smiling softly. Kai leaned forward, looking. "Tum Bormah." He said, Iizvenahkrin gently settling down and letting them off, the wolf running up to them. "These are the ones?" a voice asked, an Imperial woman stepping out of a tent. "I see why you wanted them-his eyes are full of love." She bowed to the dragon. "I believe 'drem yol lok' is your proper greeting, Great One."
"Drem yol lok." Came the reply, the dragon wary.
"Bormah," the half-dragon said. "Meet Viasta the Green." He brought Ven forward. "Could you get her ready?"
Viasta nodded, taking her to a tent as he buffed his armor, his father helping him.
"I am nervous Father." He said. "Was Ven..."
"Drem kul," Iizvenahkrin intoned. "Ven is beyond happy." He extended his wings toward the sun. "Just like I am happy. The shul feels so good."
Kai smiled, knowing his father loved the sunlight. Then he saw her; Ven came out wearing the dress and tiara, a silver necklace around her neck. "My gods," he said, smiling warmly before walking up to the altar.
"We stand at the gate of Lady Mara," the Imperial said. "To bring these souls together in holy matrimony. In leu of the regular vows, Kai?"
The half-dragon smiled. "Aravenu, my life before was one of roaming and bounty hunting," he said, looking at her. "And look at me now. I've found my father and have gotten my family." At this he rubbed Oracle, getting a croon. "And now today I want only one thing; for you to be my wife."
The Dunmer blinked, clearing her throat. "Kai," she said. "For 100 years I was alone. I had friends but still felt the same. Then you came along and I felt like the sun came out. So kind and caring. You saved me after I found Oracle, and now?" At this she took his hands in hers. "The answer is yes."
Viasta blessed them. "May Mara guide your steps, and may these rings show the love you have for one another. You are joined!"
The pair kissed, Ven resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you Viasta," Kai said, hugging his wife with tears in his eyes. "Thank you so much."
The Imperial nodded, watching as they put on the rings, smiling. "I wish you the best Kai and Ven," she said as they headed off, Iizvenahkrin bowing.
"Thank you for a lovely day Viasta," he said. "Be well."
He flew off, Oracle playing with the mates.
(A.N.: So Ven hears from Lord Bal just what Harkon tried to do-at least that guy was an idiot! Ralof makes a cameo and Kai proposes!
Dragon Translations:
Dii mon-my daughter
Drem kiir-peace child
Grohiik-wolf
Kogaannaal hi-with your blessing
Pruzah-good
Bormah-father
Tum-down
Drem-yol-lok - peace-fire-sky, or a dragon's greeting
Kul-son
Shul-sun)